A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Portland, Maine vs. Redwood National Park for Hiking, Backpackers, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a picturesque, seaside, and laid-back coastal town. With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is a monumental, grand, and impressive park. The famous beauty of Redwood National Park is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches and hiking. See Redwood National Park travel costs.

Portland, Maine and Redwood National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portland, Maine. Although Portland, Maine and Redwood National Park are popular destinations, Portland, Maine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Redwood National Park attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty. Redwood National Park is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for being the home of the world's tallest trees. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. It is also well known for The Portland Head Light.

How is Portland, Maine different from Redwood National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Redwood National Park and Portland, Maine. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

Redwood National Park is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Redwood National Park offers a few options for museum-goers. There is little in the form of museums, but you can visit the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center on the south side of the park and see exhibits about Yurok culture and the area's ecology.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Portland, Maine is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Portland, Maine area. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

While Redwood National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are no dining or grocery options within the park but there are some options just outside the park.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for nightlife.

Portland, Maine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Redwood National Park The laid back setting offers little in the form of nightlife.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is well known for the beach. Also, Redwood National Park is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Many people visit Portland, Maine for it's beautiful beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Redwood National Park is a good option for a beach vacation. The park runs along the Pacific coastline and there are 70 miles of coastal trail in the park. Beaches are rugged and sandy and favorite sections include Gold Bluff Beach, Crescent Beach, and Enderts Beach, which has great tidal pools.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Hiking?

Redwood National Park is an amazing park to visit for its hiking experiences. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Redwood National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes range from coastal trails to world-renowned hikes through the redwoods. You'll feel humbled in the presence of these grand and majestic trees. Several of the most well-known hikes include Fern Canyon, the Cathedral Trees Trail, and Redwood Creek Trail.

Many people include a hike when visiting Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

Portland, Maine is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for shopping.

Many visitors go to Portland, Maine to go shopping. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Shopping in Redwood National Park can be found for those interested. You'll find park stores at the visitor centers if you want to pick up a small gift or souvenir.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park More Beautiful?

Redwood National Park is an amazing park to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Redwood National Park is one of the main draws. The majestic redwood trees will take your breath away. These ancient forests offer a truly unique experience and you'll feel small in comparison to their grand height.

Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Families?

Redwood National Park is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Redwood National Park is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes in the park and the kids will love exploring the varied landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Less than a mile long, Fern Canyon is the perfect hike for little kids and it's not-to-be-missed. Cathedral Trees Trail is three miles, and also a highlight of any trip to the park.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Couples?

Redwood National Park is well known for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Redwood National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are historic lodges that make for a romantic getaway. You can fill your days with hikes through magical landscapes and breathtaking settings surrounded by the impressive redwoods.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Redwood National Park is an amazing park to visit for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Redwood National Park is a very popular park to visit for backpackers. There are miles of backcountry trails that let you can explore the park in relative peace and solitude. This is an amazing way to experience the park, but do make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Public transit is quite limited in Redwood National Park. There's no public transportation within the park.

Is Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park a more walkable city?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with a few options for its ease of walking around. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its walkability.

Portland, Maine is generally not very walkable. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

Redwood National Park is not a very walkable coastal town. The park is large and spread out, so you'll need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is Redwood National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Redwood National Park or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

In either Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Redwood National Park than Portland, Maine because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 3-5 days is enough time in Redwood National Park.

Families should spend more time in Redwood National Park than Portland, Maine. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Redwood National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Redwood National Park than Portland, Maine if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Redwood National Park.

One day in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

In Portland, Maine, you'll find food and shopping. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The impressive destination of Redwood National Park offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town. It offers something for everyone.

The park of Redwood National Park offers . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

Portland, Maine is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Redwood National Park is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. This park offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Portland, Maine. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the when visiting Redwood National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portland, Maine and Redwood National Park, we can see that Portland, Maine is more expensive. And not only is Redwood National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Redwood National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Redwood National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine than you might in Redwood National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portland, Maine Expensive? and Is Redwood National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park in the Summer?

Both Redwood National Park and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Redwood National Park because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Portland, Maine is a little warmer than Redwood National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 69°F (20°C) in July, and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Redwood National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Redwood National Park during summer. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Redwood National Park receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Redwood National Park. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 0.1 inches (3 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park in the Autumn?

Both Redwood National Park and Portland, Maine during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Redwood National Park this time of year.

In the autumn, Portland, Maine is cooler than Redwood National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland, Maine in October average around 49°F (9°C), and Redwood National Park averages at about 55°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Portland, Maine often gets more sunshine than Redwood National Park. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Redwood National Park receives 177 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in October than Redwood National Park. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Redwood National Park. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. In January, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than Redwood National Park. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 21°F (-6°C), and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Redwood National Park during winter. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Redwood National Park receives 135 hours of full sun in the winter.

Redwood National Park receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Redwood National Park. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 6 inches (152 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Redwood National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Redwood National Park. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Redwood National Park in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Portland, Maine is much colder than Redwood National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Redwood National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In the spring, Portland, Maine often gets less sunshine than Redwood National Park. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Redwood National Park receives 254 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in April than Redwood National Park. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Redwood National Park and Portland, Maine